Paul Green to re-sign as Cowboys coach until the end of season 2021

THE Cowboys will announce a $2.8 million contract bonanza for coach Paul Green in a move that has rocked the Broncos’ succession plan for the post-Wayne Bennett era.

North Queensland Cowboys training from 1300 Smiles Stadium. Coach Paul Green. Picture: Zak Simmonds

THE Cowboys will announce a $2.8 million contract bonanza for coach Paul Green in a move that has rocked the Broncos’ succession plan for the post-Wayne Bennett era.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Green is the Cowboys’ first $1 million coach with chairman Laurence Lancini to front a press conference in Townsville on Monday to formally announce a lucrative three-year upgrade.

Green will become the longest-serving coach in Cowboys history, remaining at the club until the end of 2021, with the premiership winner’s annual salary to reach $1 million in 2020.

By securing Green amid a worrying five-game losing streak, the Cowboys have staved-off a Broncos poaching threat, sabotaging Brisbane’s plans for life after Bennett.

Bennett, 68, is off-contract at the end of 2019 and is yet to announce his future plans.

Wayne Bennett during Brisbane Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Peter Wallis

The Broncos, via a third-party, have sounded out Green about the possibility of succeeding Bennett, but the Cowboys have scuppered any potential move by locking up the mentor who delivered their maiden premiership in 2015.

Lancini declined to comment, but a fortnight ago, he told The Courier-Mail: “I have the utmost respect for Paul. We want to see him staying here for the long term.”

Green, who has held the clipboard in 115 NRL games, will surpass the late Graham Murray (161) and Neil Henry (124) to become North Queensland’s most-capped coach.

Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill, a member of Green’s 2015 title-winning team, said retaining the former Maroons Origin player was a coup for the club.

“That’s great news,” he said.

“He has done great things as a coach at this club. I know the boys have a lot of respect for him. He definitely brings a lot to the Cowboys.”

A fortnight ago, The Courier-Mail revealed Green was under pressure to sign the $2.8m extension after six months of protracted negotiations. Cowboys hierarchy wanted an answer by mid-April or warned Green they would pull the deal.

The mid-April time frame has proved accurate, with Lancini getting his man at a time when the Cowboys, title favourites in pre-season, are languishing in second-last spot.

Paul Green is set to re-sign as Cowboys coach. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Green sought a number of incentive-based performance clauses in his contract pertaining to North Queensland’s membership numbers, marketing initiatives and corporate strength.

But the Cowboys board rejected that request.

Green will ink a traditional deal that puts him in the same salary stratosphere as Bennett and Storm super coach Craig Bellamy.

Green is facing his biggest challenge as Cowboys coach after his troops suffered a fifth straight loss for the first time under his leadership in Saturday’s 27-10 defeat to Canterbury.

The Cowboys were terrible for most of the game but Green took a pragmatic approach when addressing his troops.

“He’s told us to stick together,” forward Coen Hess said.

“We’re causing him a bit of stress at the moment, but he is calm and that’s what I want to see in my coach.

“It’s a good thing to have him here. We want to be playing for a coach like him.”